Tensions have grown between Ealing's Tories and Labour councillors over the council leader's personal housing situation.

The Conservatives walked out of a tense full council meeting after a debate on the issue.

Conservative leader Gregory Stafford submitted a motion calling on the council to condemn Labour’s Julian Bell for “decrying the lack of social housing in the borough whilst occupying one himself”.

He was referring to an A2 Dominion social home which is occupied by members of Cllr Bell’s family, while they also own a "£1 million pound house nearby".

Cllr Bell accused the Tories of mounting a politically motivated smear campaign and pointed out that council chief executive Martin Smith had looked into the matter and concluded the leader has no case to answer.

Cllr Stafford said: “It is morally wrong for the leader of the council to bemoan the lack of affordable housing, whilst living in a taxpayer-funded house, and renting out his £1m plus home nearby. This is wrong on every level.”

Cllr Bell said that while he has previously rented out a room in his own home he has always lived there.

Cllr Stafford continued: “For the Labour group to all support shutting down the debate, speaks volumes about their values. They are clearly all in it together and unfortunately, the only losers are the 11,000 residents waiting for social housing.

“On a matter of pure principle, the Conservative group councillors had no choice but to walk out of the council meeting.”

Cllr Bell told the meeting: “This is a smear campaign against me and my family. The relevant authorities have confirmed there are no grounds for an investigation.

“I met with fellow councillors to provide further information about my family’s housing situation which has allowed us to care for my wife’s 95-year-old frail, bedridden mother.

“It would seem that the lure of the general election has been too much for some Tory politicians and their activists and they are now repeating these claims in the hope that mud sticks.”

Reflecting on the walkout he added: “Conservative councillors showed a lack of maturity and respect for the council and its constitution by walking out of last night’s meeting.

“We all know we are in the run-up to an election but their theatrical behaviour was not fitting of the office they hold.”